Firstly, it is clear that G-d's commandments revealed to Moses and the Children
of Israel, are specifically for them, and not incumbent upon all of mankind.
The phrase "Between Me and the Children of Israel" occurs often in
the Torah. So what of the rest of humanity? They are obligated to observe seven
laws, known as the Noahide (or Noachide) laws. G-d has two simultaneous
Covenants, one with Mankind, and the other with the Children of Israel, who are
to be a "kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation". Now, is it possible
for a non-Jew to become a Jew? There is no clear Biblical source for the
process. The only reference we have is in connection with the Passover
Sacrifice, which states that "strangers" may not participate, until
they are circumcised. This is the only reference to becoming a Jew in the Torah
(although there are other references in other Biblical books).
In the Torah, non-Jews are referred to as "nochri" (foreigners). But a frequently used word, almost always mistranslated, is "Ger". "Ger" is generally translated as "stranger" but this is totally false. It is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "to dwell", and it means one who "dwells among us". From the Written Torah it is difficult to tell what this means, as in some cases, we are told that "there shall be one statute for you and the 'Ger' ", in other places we are told that animals which for various reasons have been rendered non-kosher should be given to the Ger! If he's a Jew, isn't he required to keep kosher?The Oral Torah explains that we are dealing with two kinds of "ger". One who accepts the Torah completely and has joined the Jewish People, is called a "ger tzedek" a true or righteous "dweller among us" who has all the rights and obligations of any Jew. The second is the "Ger Toshav" the "resident Alien" who accepts the Noahide laws, remains a non-Jew, but may dwell among us in our land and partake in the service of G-d. There is a classical debate whether ANY Noahide is classified as a "ger toshav" (Meiri says yes, RAMBAM says no, only those undergoing a special ceremony which is no longer possible can be considered Get Toshav).Meiri says any monotheist who observes the Noahide laws, is a ger toshav,RAMBAM opines that he must come to it because of the truth of Torah, not because of any other faith, or any personal ideology. It should be noted that any Noahide "has a share in the world to come like an Israelite", and that this is independent of the status of ger toshav, which bestows the right to dwell in the Holy Land, and to be assisted by the Jewish people in maintaining a dignified and upright life. To be continued.
In the Torah, non-Jews are referred to as "nochri" (foreigners). But a frequently used word, almost always mistranslated, is "Ger". "Ger" is generally translated as "stranger" but this is totally false. It is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "to dwell", and it means one who "dwells among us". From the Written Torah it is difficult to tell what this means, as in some cases, we are told that "there shall be one statute for you and the 'Ger' ", in other places we are told that animals which for various reasons have been rendered non-kosher should be given to the Ger! If he's a Jew, isn't he required to keep kosher?The Oral Torah explains that we are dealing with two kinds of "ger". One who accepts the Torah completely and has joined the Jewish People, is called a "ger tzedek" a true or righteous "dweller among us" who has all the rights and obligations of any Jew. The second is the "Ger Toshav" the "resident Alien" who accepts the Noahide laws, remains a non-Jew, but may dwell among us in our land and partake in the service of G-d. There is a classical debate whether ANY Noahide is classified as a "ger toshav" (Meiri says yes, RAMBAM says no, only those undergoing a special ceremony which is no longer possible can be considered Get Toshav).Meiri says any monotheist who observes the Noahide laws, is a ger toshav,RAMBAM opines that he must come to it because of the truth of Torah, not because of any other faith, or any personal ideology. It should be noted that any Noahide "has a share in the world to come like an Israelite", and that this is independent of the status of ger toshav, which bestows the right to dwell in the Holy Land, and to be assisted by the Jewish people in maintaining a dignified and upright life. To be continued.
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